Marathi Film Gondhal Selected At Oscars 2027: Know The Story, Plot And More Details
Gondhal film is India’s Oscars 2027 entry. Know the Marathi psychological thriller, story, plot, Santosh Davakhar and Oscar category details.
Marathi Film Gondhal Selected At Oscars 2027: Know The Story, Plot, Cast, Director Santosh Davakhar And Best International Feature Film Details
Marathi cinema has reached another important milestone as Gondhal film has been selected as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for 2027. The Film Federation of India announced the decision on September 18, 2026, selecting the Marathi-language thriller from 33 films submitted for consideration. The film will compete in the Best International Feature Film Oscar category during the Academy’s selection process.
Written and directed by Santosh Davakhar Gondhal director, the movie combines Maharashtra’s folk traditions with a tense story involving relationships, desire, deception and personal conflict. The film has also received recognition on the festival circuit, including the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India in 2025.
What Is Gondhal Film About?
Gondhal is a Marathi psychological thriller set in rural Maharashtra. The title comes from the traditional Gondhal ritual, a folk performance involving music, dance, religious storytelling and devotional elements. Rather than using the tradition simply as a cultural backdrop, the film places its central conflict within the atmosphere of the ritual.
The story revolves around Suman, a young woman trapped in an unhappy marriage with Anand, a wealthy man. Her circumstances change when she becomes emotionally involved with Saheba, a charismatic Gondhali performer. Suman begins looking for a way to escape her marriage, leading her into a dangerous plan involving Anand’s cousin, Sarjerao.
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Gondhal Story And Plot Explained
The story unfolds largely over a single night during the Gondhal celebration. As music, rituals and performances fill the rural setting, hidden emotions and personal tensions gradually come to the surface.
Suman’s desire for freedom becomes the driving force behind the narrative. She attempts to manipulate Sarjerao, who has an intense fascination with the Gondhal ritual, into helping execute her plan. What initially appears to be a traditional celebration slowly becomes the setting for deception, danger and moral conflict.
The film uses the ritual to explore the contrast between devotion and human desire. As the night progresses, the boundaries between faith, manipulation and personal ambition become increasingly blurred. This combination gives Gondhal film its psychological-thriller character while keeping Maharashtra’s cultural heritage at the centre of the story.
Who Is Santosh Davakhar, Director Of Gondhal?
Santosh Davakhar is the writer and director behind Gondhal. His connection with the film’s central ritual is personal, as he has spoken about witnessing Gondhal performances from his early years. According to information published by the Press Information Bureau during IFFI 2025, Davakhar decided to build the film around the ritual and then developed the story from it.
His direction received significant recognition at the 56th IFFI, where he won the Silver Peacock for Best Director. The festival jury praised the film for its handling of tradition, narrative and cinematic form.
Gondhal Cast And Music
The film features Ishita Deshmukh as Suman, Yogesh Sohoni as Anand, Nishad Bhoir as Sarjerao and Kishor Kadam in a key role. Other members of the cast include Suresh Vishwakarma, Anuj Prabhu and Vitthal Kale.
The music is another major aspect of the movie. Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja is credited with the film’s music, adding another distinctive element to its soundscape.
Gondhal And The Oscars 2027 Selection
The selection of Gondhal is significant for Marathi cinema because it becomes the fourth Marathi film chosen as India’s official Oscar submission, following Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory and Court.
However, it is important to understand the Oscar process. Being selected as India’s official entry does not mean Gondhal has already become a final Oscar nominee. The film must go through the Academy’s International Feature Film selection process before the final nominees are announced.
Why Gondhal Is Getting Attention
The growing interest around the film comes from its unusual combination of regional storytelling, folk tradition and psychological suspense. Instead of relying only on conventional thriller elements, Gondhal builds its narrative around a cultural practice deeply connected with Maharashtra.
Its festival recognition, Santosh Davakhar’s direction, Ilaiyaraaja’s music and the film’s distinctive setting have further contributed to its visibility. With Gondhal now representing India in the initial Oscars 2027 race, Marathi cinema has once again gained an international platform.
Final Words
The selection of Gondhal film as India’s official entry for Oscars 2027 has brought renewed attention to Marathi cinema and Maharashtra’s rich folk traditions. With its story of Suman, a troubled marriage, forbidden love and a dangerous plan unfolding around the Gondhal ritual, the film offers a distinctive psychological thriller rooted in Indian culture.
For audiences interested in regional cinema, the journey of Santosh Davakhar Gondhal director and the film’s progress in the Best International Feature Film Oscar category will be worth following as the Academy’s 2027 awards process continues.
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